09-10-2007, 07:01 AM
Security, stability to be BJP poll planks
ANITA SALUJA
NEW DELHI: The BJP has identified the three principal issues of security, stability and the Sachar report as the trident of the partyâs election plank, in the event of a snap poll being forced on the country. The upcoming BJP national executive in Bhopal from September 21-23 is expected to fine tune the partyâs electoral strategy.
According to party sources, security has become the principal concern of the people in the wake of the string of bomb blasts across the country â in Varanasi, Mumbai, Malegaon, Bangalore and Hyderabad. Stability is the second major concern. The Congress- led UPA Government has been shaky all through, with the UPA-Left differences overshadowing everything else. This will be contrasted with the BJPâs ability to provide a stable government for six years, from 1998- 2004, by delicately balancing the coalition.
The Sachar report which has become the governmentâs excuse for chalking out elaborate Muslim appeasement policies is the third issue. On the N-deal, Leader of the Opposition LK Advani has already set the line of attack for the BJP. While the Vajpayee Government made bold to defy the US and conduct nuclear tests in 1998, making India a proud nuclear weapons State, the Congress-led UPA Government is all set to surrender Indiaâs strategic sovereignty and independence. Advani has already demanded amendment to the Atomic Energy Act 1962 or enactment of a domestic law, primarily to safeguard Indiaâs strategic programme.
Clearly, Advani has moved to the partyâs centre stage. As the tallest leader after former Prime Minister AB Vajpayee and as the unquestioned party strategist, he is set to become the principal leader of the party.
While Vajpayee is clearly the first choice of the party, it is pointed out that if his health does not permit him to play an active role, Advani is the automatic choice for the post of Prime Minister. Advani faced flak earlier after his Jinnah remarks which cost him the post of BJP president.
But his recent remarks on the N-issue, which brought about a subtle shift in the partyâs stand on the Indo-US nuclear deal, have brought a quiet acceptance of his line
ANITA SALUJA
NEW DELHI: The BJP has identified the three principal issues of security, stability and the Sachar report as the trident of the partyâs election plank, in the event of a snap poll being forced on the country. The upcoming BJP national executive in Bhopal from September 21-23 is expected to fine tune the partyâs electoral strategy.
According to party sources, security has become the principal concern of the people in the wake of the string of bomb blasts across the country â in Varanasi, Mumbai, Malegaon, Bangalore and Hyderabad. Stability is the second major concern. The Congress- led UPA Government has been shaky all through, with the UPA-Left differences overshadowing everything else. This will be contrasted with the BJPâs ability to provide a stable government for six years, from 1998- 2004, by delicately balancing the coalition.
The Sachar report which has become the governmentâs excuse for chalking out elaborate Muslim appeasement policies is the third issue. On the N-deal, Leader of the Opposition LK Advani has already set the line of attack for the BJP. While the Vajpayee Government made bold to defy the US and conduct nuclear tests in 1998, making India a proud nuclear weapons State, the Congress-led UPA Government is all set to surrender Indiaâs strategic sovereignty and independence. Advani has already demanded amendment to the Atomic Energy Act 1962 or enactment of a domestic law, primarily to safeguard Indiaâs strategic programme.
Clearly, Advani has moved to the partyâs centre stage. As the tallest leader after former Prime Minister AB Vajpayee and as the unquestioned party strategist, he is set to become the principal leader of the party.
While Vajpayee is clearly the first choice of the party, it is pointed out that if his health does not permit him to play an active role, Advani is the automatic choice for the post of Prime Minister. Advani faced flak earlier after his Jinnah remarks which cost him the post of BJP president.
But his recent remarks on the N-issue, which brought about a subtle shift in the partyâs stand on the Indo-US nuclear deal, have brought a quiet acceptance of his line